London Direct Vision Standard: Consultation Closes and Further Information Emerges

According to Transport for London (TfL) heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were involved in around 78 per cent of cyclist fatalities and 20 per cent of pedestrian fatalities in 2015, but constitute less than four per cent of the miles driven in London.One of the most common contributory factors identified in HGV collision reports was vehicle blind spots, meaning the driver cannot see other road users close to their vehicle. To address this, in 2016, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) was proposed.The aims of the DVS are to address the issue of HGVs and vulnerable road user safety in London.

The DVS uses a star rating for HGVs from zero to five (zero being the lowest and five the highest) based on how much a HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows, as opposed to indirectly through cameras or mirrors. Under the DVS proposals only HGVs rated three star and above would be allowed into London from 2024 and zero star rated HGVs would be banned from or restricted on London’s roads by 2020.

Although the full impact on the HGV industry is not entirely clear yet, it has been reported that at a stakeholder forum held recently, TfL estimated that under current DVS proposals, over half of the N3 vehicles (good vehicles over 12 tonnes) which enter London each year would be banned in 2020 with a further smaller group being banned in 2024. Although all sectors may be affected, this has particular implications for the construction sector.

Phase 1 of the consultation on the DVS proposals closed on 18 April 2017 and we expect the results of this to be published in the Summer of 2017.Several further consultations are anticipated in Autumn 2017 and Spring 2018.

If you would like to discuss this further, please give a member of our regulatory team a call on 01254 828300.

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